The 1990s are often referred to as the “Golden Age” of country music… but the 1970s would like a word.
It was the era known for its free-spiritedness, blockbuster culture, and the emergence of icons. For country music, it was a very transformative time, and bred some of the most legendary names in the history of the genre. As far as the charts go, the likes of Conway Twitty and Waylon Jennings were all over them.
Some of the biggest songs with the most longevity – like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” or Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band – only peaked at the top of the charts for one or two weeks, if that tells you anything. There were so many talented country stars making music in the 1970s, and there’s a lot of music made in that decade that has stood the test of time.
As you scroll through this list, each year’s top song (the one that spent the most time at No. 1 on the charts) is listed, along with some other massive hits from artists you’ll definitely recognize. Go ahead and dive in, and feel free to let us know if there’s any songs that you feel like we left out in the “honorable mention” sections for each year.
1970
“Hello Darlin” by Conway Twitty
Honorable Mentions: “The Fightin’ Side of Me” by Merle Haggard, “Baby, Baby (I Know You’re a Lady)” by David Houston, and “Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On” by Sonny James.
1971
“When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” by Jerry Reed
Honorable Mentions: “I’m Just Me” by Charley Pride, “Empty Arms” by Sonny James, “Help Me Make It Through The Night” by Sammi Smith.
1972
“My Hang-Up Is You” by Freddie Hart
Honorable Mentions: “Carolyn” by Merle Haggard, “It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer” by Charley Pride, and “The Happiest Girl In the Whole U.S.A.” by Donna Fargo.
1973
“You’ve Never Been This Far Before” by Conway Twitty
Honorable Mentions: “Behind Closed Doors” by Charlie Rich, “Love Is the Foundation” by Loretta Lynn, and “We’re Gonna Hold On” by George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
1974
“A Very Special Love Song” by Charlie Rich
Honorable Mentions: “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, “I See The Want To In Your Eyes” by Conway Twitty, and “If We Make It Through December” by Merle Haggard.
1975
“Always Wanting You” by Merle Haggard
Honorable Mentions: “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell, “Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain” by Willie Nelson, and “Daydreams About Night Things” by Ronnie Milsap
1976
“Convoy” by C.W. McCall
Honorable Mentions: “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon and Willie, “One Piece at a Time” by Johnny Cash, and “You and Me” by Tammy Wynette
1977
“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” by Waylon Jennings
Honorable Mentions: “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell, “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton, and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle
1978
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
Honorable Mentions: “Heartbreaker” by Dolly Parton, “I’ve Always Been Crazy” by Waylon Jennings, and “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers.
1979
“Amanda” by Waylon Jennings
Honorable Mentions: “Happy Birthday Darlin'” by Conway Twitty, “I Just Fall In Love Again” by Anne Murray, and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band.
